tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22066892084761508092017-07-18T01:00:15.251-07:00New York City Art House TheatersThis site showcases research projects undertaken by students in ENFL-255: A History of Art Cinema, a Spring 2010 course offered at Montclair State University. These projects investigate the institutional histories, programming philosophies and promotional strategies of contemporary New York City art house theaters.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03234547908253626923noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-54037897915173068782010-03-15T12:33:00.000-07:002010-03-15T14:22:42.832-07:00Cinema Village<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fvDevCBmgwE/S56gIDrNzfI/AAAAAAAAABw/MLMyb_UQlYs/s400/cinemaoutside3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968659450842610" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', serif; font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; "><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', serif; font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; ">Brief History:</span><div><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 32px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 32px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Cinema Village is the oldest continuously operated cinema in Greenwich Village. Built in 1963 in an old fire house it showcase<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">d “vintage classics, cult and contemporary critical favorites on double bills that would usually change three times a week,” which have since dissipated in commercial cinemas. During the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font: 29.6px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">emergence of home video, buy outs by major circuits and real estate development, it struggled</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fvDevCBmgwE/S56fwlx2gzI/AAAAAAAAABo/OWgitH_Mx4M/s320/inside2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968256288621362" /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 32px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to stay open and only survived with a switch to limited engagements of highly alternative first run programming.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 32px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 32px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the early 1990s it became known through its annual festivals and other bookings, as the place to see the amazing Hong Kong films, which had a profound influence on international filmmaking styles. Personal appearances by talents such as Michele Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, Wong Kar Wai and Peter Chan. In 2000, renovation allowed for modern three screen facility with state of the presentation with a much more diverse programming mix and permit them to extend runs of special films to extraordinary lengths. 2001 introduced digital video projection, which gives them potential to play deserving features without the burden to distributors or filmmakers of an expensive conversion to celluloid.</span></p></span><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fvDevCBmgwE/S56gSE-ey1I/AAAAAAAAAB4/5LgKieDVJ3Y/s400/inside.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968831598775122" /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Main Audience:</span></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Greenwich Village is composed largely of elderly people and college students. Discounted tickets (College ID $8 Senior $6) There is a Large Jewish community and Cinema Village makes it a point to showcase works with Jewish themes or works by Jewish filmmakers. Promotion of films playing is largely dependent on word of mouth. They also promote the current films on their website.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fvDevCBmgwE/S56ikB9A_HI/AAAAAAAAACI/ii7_OusxH8k/s320/Tickets.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448971339048221810" /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Building and Location:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><b><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is no lobby and a one-teller box office. If you arrive more than 15 minutes prior to the film’s start time, there is no indoor waiting area and you will be asked to wait outside. There is a small concession stand with the basics (large portion of cinema’s profits).</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">• Screen#1 capacity: 156 seats projection: 35 mm, 16 mm, digital video, QuickTime Files sound: Dolby Digital CP500</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">• Screen#2 capacity: 67 seats projection: 35 mm, 16 mm, digital video sound: Dolby Surround CP45</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">• Screen#3 capacity: 73 seats projection: 35 mm sound: Dolby Surround CP45</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fvDevCBmgwE/S56iCdUbyXI/AAAAAAAAACA/zsRzHs-mJ4A/s400/inmovie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448970762278652274" /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our Experience:</span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After showing up a bit early we realized we had to kill some time so headed across the street to grab some zza. We headed over about 10 minutes past showtime wrongfully assuming that we were savvy moviegoers who would simply be skipping the previews. After purchasing our ticket from the college-age teller we bought some over-priced popcorn and headed into the tiny theater up the narrow stairs. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There were roughly 10 other people in the theater and all seemed borderline-elderly. The film came and went without really leaving any members of the group even slightly impressed. It was a mediocre film at best. We headed back out to the "lobby."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After asking the teller to speak to a manager she got very nervous and immediately insisted she must know why. We explained we were doing a project and she relaxed slightly. "He's somewhere around here" she told us. We realized quickly that she was disinterested in helping us so we asked if we could look around for him. "No, just wait here. He should pass through eventually." We decided to start looking for another employee to talk to. We found Steve.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Steve is a SUNY Purchase Film Studies alum who works at Cinema Village and was a great resource of info on Cinema Village. He was one of the most tenured employees with only a little over a year under his belt. He informed us that the average employment time for anyone working at cinema village was around one to two years and that no current manager had been there longer than him. The owner comes in roughly once a year when something needs to be fixed or equipment purchased. Other than that, the place pretty much is run by the employees on hand. He told us that they employ a film purchaser who picks the films that they will be showing and makes it a point to have at least one Jewish-themed film on hand and playing at any given time. He rarely gets to see the films that play and admits that he prefers not to be there when not working even though he can see any film free of charge.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Overall, Steve painted a grim picture of Cinema Village and claimed to see the writing on the walls for the old theater. However, due to its survival during trying times, it is difficult to believe that this cinema could go down without a fight.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 29.6px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fvDevCBmgwE/S56i2kesBTI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Q6ex2zB3Lgw/s400/project.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448971657553904946" /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/michaelgschmid/100200">Link To Cinema Village Trip Pics</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></b><p></p></b></span><p></p><p></p><p></p></div></div>Schmiddynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-55568930495479208632010-03-09T19:39:00.000-08:002010-03-09T20:08:23.346-08:00Walter Reade Theater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cWktju8kI/AAAAAAAAAAk/L5cJnPtYi9I/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cWktju8kI/AAAAAAAAAAk/L5cJnPtYi9I/s200/Walter+Reade+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446847094288478786" border="0" /></a>
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<br /> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/kylekolich/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"> <link rel="Edit-Time-Data" href="file://localhost/Users/kylekolich/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_editdata.mso"> <!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>1034</o:Words> <o:characters>5899</o:Characters> <o:lines>49</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>11</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>7244</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.768</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:0 2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri;} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><b><i>History<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >Walter Reade Jr. was the president and board chairman for a number of theaters in New York, New Jersey, and Boston.<span style=""> </span>His father, Walter Reade Sr. is credited for developing a chain of theaters in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and upon his death, his son assumed control of the company and later ventured into the business of distribution and the financing of foreign films. He created Continental Film Distributors and The Walter Reade Organization.<span style=""> </span>Although he did not have much success with art cinema, his biggest success came with the release of George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Other notable engagements of Reade Jr.’s include Star Wars and Easy Rider.<span style=""> </span>Sadly, Reade was killed in a skiing accident in 1973, but his name and legacy live on through the theater that bears his name in Lincoln Center.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >Founded in 1969, The Walter Reade Theater showcases American and international films, and is one of the twelve resident organizations at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.<span style=""> </span>Its mission is not only to celebrate new filmmakers, but also to enhance awareness and accessibility by distributing these films to a vast audience.<span style=""> </span>The film society of Lincoln Center caters to a broad and diverse group of enthusiasts, hailing from many different economic and ethnic backgrounds. Not only is the film society highly acclaimed, the institution prides itself on its continuous efforts to research and discover new trends in cinema.<span style=""> </span>Jean- Luc Godard, Pedro Almodovar, and Francois Truffaut are among the numerous directors who have been introduced to American audiences through the film society.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><b><i>Promotional Strategy</i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cXXCdrI7I/AAAAAAAAAA8/jZwC_5oHTyw/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cXXCdrI7I/AAAAAAAAAA8/jZwC_5oHTyw/s200/Walter+Reade+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446847958893667250" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >The film society of Lincoln Center’s most prestigious events are The New York Film Festival and The New Directors/New Films Festival.<span style=""> </span>The New York Film Festival was first held in 1963 by Amos Vogel and Richard Roud, who established it as a non-competitive festival.<span style=""> </span>Currently, the director is Richard Pena and the residing committee is a collaboration of intellectuals including film critics and magazine editors.<span style=""> </span>The films are categorized into sub-genres such as non-narratives, experimental, and avant garde.<span style=""> </span>The New Directors/ New Film Festival is a collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art, and it helps emerging directors from all over the world gain notoriety. Its prestige has helped gain support from the global film community and various celebrities, such as Christopher Walken, Mel Brooks, and Steven Spielberg, who have contributed to the special events, intimate interviews, and gala tribute which bring the public closer to their favorite artists.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >The “Film Comment” is a bi-monthly magazine published by The Film Society at Lincoln Center, which gives critical reviews and in-depth analysis of mainstream, art-house, and avant-garde films from around the world. The publication was founded in 1962 by Joseph Blanco to cater to New York’s cinephile culture.<span style=""> </span>Notable contributors include Roger Ebert, Amos Vogel, Quentin Tarantino, and Ingmar Bergman. It was awarded the Utne Independent Press Award in 2007 for Best Arts Coverage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><b><i>Experience at Walter Reade Theater<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cX3wTMzRI/AAAAAAAAABE/SBcCMBlMmw8/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cX3wTMzRI/AAAAAAAAABE/SBcCMBlMmw8/s200/Walter+Reade+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446848520953580818" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >The theater is nestled in the heart of the theater district, and to the left of the famous Julliard School.<span style=""> </span>People come to the theater district for the higher arts, but on the ground level, this particular theater isn’t boastful, and some might be surprised by its minimalist decor.<span style=""> </span>Only one flag hangs outside the theater, aptly etched with the word ‘FILM’.<span style=""> </span>The tickets are sold outside, and are sold around a half hour before the scheduled film for the upcoming time.<span style=""> </span>This can make things slightly annoying if the weather is unfavorable, as it must be endured if you wish to purchase tickets. Fortunately, they believe in the student discount, with the right ID (naturally).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cYqvy03ZI/AAAAAAAAABU/JGgMPrdchKM/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cYqvy03ZI/AAAAAAAAABU/JGgMPrdchKM/s200/Walter+Reade+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446849396991122834" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >Warm heat greets you on the inside of this cozy lobby. There are black benches to sit on, beside tables covered with upcoming programs and schedules. There isn’t a single trace of commercialism – no signs for Coke or advertising to be found anywhere. Instead, there is an open space decorated with classic movie </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cZhcZbEJI/AAAAAAAAABk/Ish2sIsR40s/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5cZhcZbEJI/AAAAAAAAABk/Ish2sIsR40s/s200/Walter+Reade+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446850336677105810" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >posters, a small portion of the gallery’s larger collection. The concession stand’s prices are inexpensive, with your choice of comfort food (bagels &amp; self-serve cream cheese, tea, croissants), or the classic movie theater menu (popcorn, that’s surprisingly not in a grossly oversized bucket, and your selection of soda choices).<span style=""> </span>The employees are kind and helpful, ready to assist at a moment’s notice, and easily starting up a conversation as you wait.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully Van, the woman behind the counter in the photograph, is there when you visit.<span style=""> </span>She has a great sense of humor, just don’t ask her about any of the films (she’s not a fan).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;" align="right"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5caAuZhYtI/AAAAAAAAABs/_CIP_RC_aJQ/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5caAuZhYtI/AAAAAAAAABs/_CIP_RC_aJQ/s320/Walter+Reade+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446850874085302994" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""> </span>New York magazine boasted that the Walter Reade has “268 comfortable seats, a 35-foot-wide screen, film and high-definition-video projectors, and cutting edge Dolby sound.”<span style=""> </span>It only has one actual theater inside, but the ambience is comfortable and classy.<span style=""> </span>There is plenty of area to walk around, and the theater even won an award for being accessible to people with disabilities.<span style=""> </span>You can sit and lean back without having to worry about blocking the view of the person behind you, and the uphill seating arrangement makes sure no one is in anyone’s way once they are seated.<span style=""> </span>Also, there are no annoying previews or commercials to wait through, because once the lights go down, the film starts immediately.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5caS4h4J5I/AAAAAAAAAB0/2t5Mp7m5IW4/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5caS4h4J5I/AAAAAAAAAB0/2t5Mp7m5IW4/s200/Walter+Reade+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446851186042349458" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""> </span>The film I saw was titled Air Doll, a 2009 Japanese drama by Hirokazu Koreeda.<span style=""> </span>I enjoyed the film without having to crane my neck upward, despite how close I was.<span style=""> </span>The screen is neatly designed to be just the right height so that the entire audience can watch it without having to move from where they are.<span style=""> </span>There is also a small stage underneath the screen, presumably for live action performances.<span style=""> </span>The sound can be heard equally throughout the theater, and finds a happy medium between blasting loud and deafly quiet – just the right pitch to listen comfortably.<span style=""> </span>Aside from the film’s sound, the theater is silent – no workers coming in to check on things, and the patrons are respectful of each other, keeping their chit-chat to a minimum.<span style=""> </span>Standard rules, such as those of texting (“the only texts we are allow are the ones in subtitles”), are listed just outside of the theater.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" >This particular movie was part of an event, “Film Comment Selects 2010”, from Feb. 19-Mar 4, its tagline being “Extreme. Daring. Out There. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.”<span style=""> </span>One of the many pamphlets for the theater described this event as “Celebrating its 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary, this annual showcase of discoveries, special previews, rediscoveries, and films without distribution is handpicked by the editors of “Film Comment”, America’s leading magazine of film criticism.<span style=""> </span>Drawn from their travels on the international film festival circuit, this year’s eclectic and cutting-edge mix has something for everyone.”<span style=""> </span>To top off this comfortable film going experience, I vastly enjoyed Air Doll, and Koreeda’s take on the childhood fantasy of bringing one’s toys to life.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5caYeS-0rI/AAAAAAAAAB8/OIJiLPPHEkc/s1600-h/Walter+Reade+-+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Tu33cjVHobA/S5caYeS-0rI/AAAAAAAAAB8/OIJiLPPHEkc/s320/Walter+Reade+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446851282079765170" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Kyle R. Kolichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06659783456471428619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-29665346777829651462010-03-09T10:23:00.001-08:002010-03-09T11:09:46.123-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5acfuZoGAI/AAAAAAAAABk/u5fDBJ5-epk/s1600-h/12.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aSu2lgb7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/s8UqiAKqpFo/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aSu2lgb7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/s8UqiAKqpFo/s320/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446702132975660978" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">History of IFC</span></span></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Center</span></span></span></u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The IFC Center is an art house movie theater in Greenwich,</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> NYC. The historical building was originally built as a church in the early 1800’s had now been</span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> changed into a three theater facility. Rainbow Media Holdings LLC., which is an American cable company established in 1980 that owns AMC, IFC, WE TV, Sundance channel, Wedding Central, Voom HD Networks, and News 12, bought the movie theater as an extension of its cable channel. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Theater doors were opened to the public for the first time on June 17, 2005, and the first film screened was </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Me and You and Everyone We Know.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Interestingly enough, the opening was met with a protest from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, as the IFC Center had hired non-union workers. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Currently, it is equipped to screen 35 mm and High Definition digital video., screening regularly scheduled films, premieres, educational programs, and television broadcasts. The theater also has digital editing suites, a meeting area, and a restaurant called The Waverly.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Promotional Strategies of IFC Center</span></span></span></u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">:</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101868216413/img/22.gif?a=1102894395454"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101868216413/img/22.gif?a=1102894395454" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 78px; " /></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101868216413/img/20.gif?a=1102894395454"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101868216413/img/20.gif?a=1102894395454" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 78px; " /></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101868216413/img/21.gif?a=1102894395454"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101868216413/img/21.gif?a=1102894395454" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 78px; " /></span></a></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The IFC center employs various techniques in promoting the theater, events, screenings, and membership programs, which offers discounts and benefits to patrons of the theater. The benefits include admission discounts, free preview screenings, free popcorn, discounts on merchandise, and free admission (depending on which level of membership you get). The different membership levels are Student, Cineaste, Auteur, and Mogul. The names that they use to market the membership programs are all names that appeal to art/independent film fans, with the exception of Student, which is merely a discounted Cineaste membership. It is one way in which the IFC center tries to draw in potential members, by using terms familiar to them. Our group found this system a bit corny, and one of our members was actually rather annoyed with how they used these titles. It shows that the IFC Center is, despite its billing as an art theater, prone to some of the same advertising techniques as the rest of the world. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There are other ways in which the IFC Center differs from a purely independent theater. It not only shows art and independent films, but also documentaries, cult classics, and Oscar Nominated Films. On weekends they focus on cult classic movies, which are often “B” movies that might not necessarily be critically acclaimed, but draw a cult following. For instance, one of their upcoming films I saw on their schedule is </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Starship Troopers</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, a visual effects-heavy blockbuster from 1997 which is rather far from art cinema.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aTuRIsD1I/AAAAAAAAAAc/to00xcaYXuo/s320/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446703222434303826" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The center definitely takes advantage of all opportunities to promote the IFC brand. When we first sat down in the theater to watch the films they had a promotional slide show rolling that had all different events, film screenings, even meet and greets with actual directors. All of the information was for the IFC center itself and intended to keep people informed so that they might come back agai. Once the lights dimmed and the film began, the previews and trailers before the movie where all films that were being shown at the center.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Other promotional tools they used were pamphlets and calendars, most of them involving the IFC center, but some were relating to B.A.M (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Outside of the theaters they had posters promoting films that were being shown at the center, many of which had critical acclaims printed on them, as well as film festival stamps of approval (Sundance Film Festival, Cannes, etc.)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">One interesting thing I noticed was that the IFC center has a Queer Art/Film series on the last Monday of every month. Being in the village, they have obviously tried to bring in some business by promoting art from the influential culture that surrounds the IFC centers home in Greenwich Village. It is a smart marketing and promotional idea to appeal to those within close vicinity of the theater. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;line-height: normal; "><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Finally is the fact that, like any business trying to be successful in today’s technological world, the IFC Center uses its </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">website</span></span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aWnNwolcI/AAAAAAAAAA8/eiXgeBluVLE/s1600-h/Picture+1.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aWnNwolcI/AAAAAAAAAA8/eiXgeBluVLE/s320/Picture+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446706399803905474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> and other internet outlets to help promote the brand to the masses. All of the information about scheduling, location, upcoming films, and merchandise can be found on their website. This brings out another point. The IFC Center sells T-shirts, posters, and DVDs marketed towards patrons who wish to take a half-hearted swipe at individuality without losing their right to follow where many have gone before. They also use Facebook and Twitter to tap into the social networking buzz that is so big right now. It’s clear that the profitability of the IFC Center depends on it watering down the underground film experience, making it less exclusive and keeping it supplied with a fan base.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Experience at IFC Center</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aYQlxtEUI/AAAAAAAAABM/kEUwudMIpLs/s1600-h/12.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Our group had no trouble finding the IFC Center,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> as it is located directly behind the nearest subway entrance.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The theater had a somewhat unassuming exterior, with an overhang above the doorway which advertised a few of the films.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Top billing went to the Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts, which would probably have the most draw.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Overall, it looked like a theater, nothing more and nothing less.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To the left of the door were two easels featuring blowups of articles from </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Time Out New York</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The New York Times</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> about two of the films on display in the theater.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This was, at least, a sign that the theater did mean to attract views more thoughtful than the average movie-goer.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Instead of calling a film “SEXY!” or “FUNNIEST COMEDY IN AMERICA!” these ads were meant to be read carefully, not just to categorize the films, show a famous face, and get a mindless viewer to point and say, “I want.”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">For instance, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The New York Times</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">’ article about the Oscar Nominated Shorts called them “short in time, long on wit and daring,” and opened the article with a</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">quote from an Elizabethan poet.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">After we purchased our tickets at the window to the right of the door, we were admitted to what was a cozy reception area which was, apart from its small size, very similar to the average theater interior.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There was a small snack counter, a few ads, and a stairway leading up to the screening room in which the Oscar Nominated Shorts could be seen.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Along the way, the movie posters on display were a bit atypical for your average theater, distancing the theater just a bit from the huge chain theaters we’re used to.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">We stopped to spend a moment with the poster from </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rififi</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, a French crime film from 1955.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aYuyDHaVI/AAAAAAAAABU/Sm_f4s26Z_I/s400/9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446708728827439442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To those who are not particularly versed in old French films, this is just decoration, but a cinephile would likely recognize the film and feel as if they have come to the correct theater.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Once in the screening room, we found the seats to be quite comfortable and roomy and the screen closer than a normal theater’s screen.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The pre-feature ads were similar to those we all grew up on, but were centered around the IFC specifically.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The feature itself showed each Oscar Nominated Short Films, as well as a few Honorable Mentions, in their entirety, including the credits.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Overall, we thought the experience was better than our average movie experience, as the medium of animated short film allows for easy maintenance of interest and both moments of thoughtful interpretation and childish entertainment.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A few standouts were Pixar’s </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Partly Cloudy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, the Wallace and Gromit short </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A Matter of Loaf and Death</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Lady and the Reaper</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Logorama</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Pixar short and the Wallace and Gromit short were entertaining, funny, and perhaps better suited to children, but we found them loveable.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Lady and the Reaper</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, however, maintained the good humor of the others while providing an experience more fit for thought.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It even ended with the often elusive shock that many films try for, which in this case meant that the sweet old lady committed suicide after a vain doctor successfully resuscitated her too many times.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Logorama</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, on the other hand, was by no means suitable for children, but featured in interesting use of popular logos to create all of the scenery and characters in the film.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The story line was a mash-up of bad Hollywood blockbuster ideas and essentially revolved around a maniacal Ronald McDonald and an earthquake which removes California from the rest of the United States.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5acfuZoGAI/AAAAAAAAABk/u5fDBJ5-epk/s320/12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446712868196587522" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e8LUe77bRs/S5aYQlxtEUI/AAAAAAAAABM/kEUwudMIpLs/s1600-h/12.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">These films seemed to be right at home in the IFC Center.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">None were totally mainstream, but most were still meant to have some appeal to the average person.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">They were possibly closer to art film than </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Transformers</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> was, but none would be too out of place in your average theater.</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Matt Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03395396687861797148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-88907334399186184082010-03-09T10:16:00.000-08:002010-03-09T10:42:26.431-08:00BAM Cinematek - Brooklyn, NY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aUbNm1DfI/AAAAAAAAACI/1bCguDUoDdc/s1600-h/langlois.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></a><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u><span> </span></u></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;"> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/nicholasstambuli/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" althref="file://localhost/Users/nicholasstambuli/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image002.pct" title=""> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aQ4GVulII/AAAAAAAAAAo/Z_ODfidliNc/s320/paula1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446700092800013442" /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Zapfino;font-size:28.0pt;"><b>Brooklyn<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Zapfino;font-size:28.0pt;"><b>Academy<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Zapfino;font-size:28.0pt;"><b>Of</b></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Zapfino;font-size:28.0pt;"><b> Music<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Zapfino;font-size:28.0pt;"><b>Cinatamek</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Bloggers: Nicholas Stambuli, Erin O’Dowd, Chelsea Warner, Tariq Shabazz, and Paula Murphy<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u>The BAM Experience</u><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I visited BAM on February 27. The Brooklyn Academy of Music, also known as BAM, is located at 30 Lafayette, Brooklyn, in the Fort Green area. Bam Rose Cinemas is off the main street of Flatbush Ave.<span> </span>The Fort Green area has a great vibe.<span> </span>The neighborhood is home to<span> </span>"40 Acres and a Mule", a Spike Lee production company; it has many quirky retail shops and restaurants. The area has something for everyone. It is the quintessential Brooklyn brownstones neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><br /></p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aRRpTvl5I/AAAAAAAAAAw/xohwYYlqJrA/s320/paula2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446700531683661714" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Bam building is an architectural expression of Neoclassical Revival of the era it was built in.<span> </span>There are no signs on the building or advertisements to indicate the theater, only four green double doors.<span> </span>When you walk into the theater, the high ceilings, white walls, and green marble and white marble flooring immediately surprise you. Couches are set up in front of the ticket booth.<span> </span>The ticket booth is located inside to the left of the doors. There are no advertisements for the films playing until you go to buy a ticket at the ticket booth. <span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:238.05pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/nicholasstambuli/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image007.gif" althref="file://localhost/Users/nicholasstambuli/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image008.pct" title=""> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The film that I saw was “A Single Man” by fashion designer Tom Ford. Set in Los Angeles in the 1960’s, “A Single Man” is the story of George Falconer, a British college professor (Colin Firth) </span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aRpOIDmgI/AAAAAAAAAA4/D015m9lFETY/s1600-h/A+Single+Man+poster.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aRpOIDmgI/AAAAAAAAAA4/D015m9lFETY/s320/A+Single+Man+poster.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446700936703744514" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> is struggling to find meaning in his life<span> </span>after the death of his long-time partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). The movie follows<span> </span>George through a single day, where a series of encounters ultimately leads him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim. George is consoled by his closest friend, Charley (Julianne Moore), a beauty in her late forties, and he is stalked by one of his students, Kenny (Nicholas Hoult). “<span>A Single Man” received an Academy Award nomination for </span>Colin Firth’s portrayal of professor George Falconer in the Best Actor category. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>BAM shows mainstream Hollywood to independent films. The advertisements are not done in the traditional way of mainstream theaters.<span> </span>The only information that is given is for the mainstream movies. The four posters are set up behind the employee in the glass booth that sells the tickets. There is a small-lit screen to tell you the times and what independent films are showing, but if you want more information on an independent film you can read the pamphlet.<span> </span>The ticket person is very helpful if you don't know what film to see. They can recommend a film and are knowledgeable on each independent film. This is surprising when you are used to seeing teenagers managing on minimum wage in New Jersey. The theater also has a small area to purchase tickets online if you choose to do so. There' s also an information booth and two small kiosks selling Bam stuff and theater books. After you give your ticket, you proceed to the concession stand inside. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bam has four theaters, and the main theater has a stage for performances. When I visited, the main theater was being used for an Alvin Haley dance troop performance. The small theater I was in held about 100 people. The screen and acoustics where perfect for the scale of the theater. I'm a tall person; I have come to accept that most theater seats are cramped and small with no legroom, and you are going to be uncomfortable for the entire film. When I first sat down, I was surprised that the seats are very comfortable.</span></p><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aR9oQd2RI/AAAAAAAAABA/1unielwwIyk/s400/erin1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446701287315724562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> There was enough legroom and I was pleased that the seats did not recline. I'm used to getting hit in the knees by the reclining seat in front of me. If the seats where to recline, it would have been very uncomfortable for me or anyone else who’s tall. The seats are set up as if you’re at a Broadway play. I like that experience watching a film.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>For the evening performance in the main theater, there is a small but elegant bar set up for intermission. The up escalator brings you to the BAM café. <span> </span>The cafe is an upscale eatery. I was</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aSiLhvj3I/AAAAAAAAABQ/Ygz2kD3Azs4/s1600-h/cafe.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aSiLhvj3I/AAAAAAAAABQ/Ygz2kD3Azs4/s320/cafe.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446701915258720114" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 171px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> dressed appropriately and I was immediately frowned upon. I wanted to ask some questions about BAM Café, but no one agreed to speak with me. Most of the patrons were older. The overall experience of theater was great. I plan to return for a main performance and for the Fort Green neighborhood; one goes with the other.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u>A Brief History of BAM</u><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) has been a cultural jewel of the American artistic community for over one hundred and forty years. The original site of the BAM was located at 176-</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aSzm_Ra0I/AAAAAAAAABg/qkXLjiNlXpI/s1600-h/harvey+theatre.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aSzm_Ra0I/AAAAAAAAABg/qkXLjiNlXpI/s320/harvey+theatre.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446702214688107330" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 171px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Montague Street; this location burned to the ground in 1903, yet BAM has managed to be the longest running performing arts center in the country. BAM Rose Cinemas opened in 1997 to give Brooklynites the ability to see more art films without traveling to Manhattan. BAM encompasses two buildings. The BAM Havey Theatre, with 874 seats, is located on 651 Fulton Street and hosts live performances. Two blocks away is the Peter Jay Sharp Building on 30 Lafayette Ave. This is the main building which contains the Howard Gilman Opera House, Rose Cinemas, the box office, and administrative offices. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;">BAM has continuously found ways to balance its programming with alternative forms of art and more mainstream forms of expression. </span></p><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aTMU1porI/AAAAAAAAABo/bChGILFMnrE/s400/tariq.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446702639312642738" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 277px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;">In its first one hundred years, BAM established itself as place for expression, hosting political events, speeches, and rallies that included speakers like Frank Lloyd Wright, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony. Currently, they have multiple philanthropic programs for community outreach which has served countless NYC schools to promote neighborhood revitalization, diversity, and education.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;">BAM is the home of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and it also works closely with the Sundance Institute in order to screen films and host other performances of independent artist. Another example of BAM’s dedication to independent and alternative artist is the Next Wave festival, which was started in 1983, and its presentation of Dance Africa every memorial day. This dedication to the alternative forms of art began in 1967; this was the year that “<span>Harvey Lichtenstein took the reins and opened the institution’s historic Beaux Arts palace to modern choreographers like Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, and Alvin Ailey—who would reshape the art form of dance” (www.BAM.org).<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;">An important point to make is that BAM is a non-profit organization; BAM was not established by the government but rather by “a group of local citizens, politicians, and business leaders came together with a progressive vision of an institution” (www.BAM.org).<span> </span>With a progressive vision, BAM evolved into a haven for artists that have push the envelope in the area of artistic and cultural expression.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u>BAM’s Programming Strategy<o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Bam Cinematek has many different types of films for all different audiences. It is always showing various films from different genres and time periods. This month they are featuring a large variety of different films, everything from typical American Classics such as 1950’s Montgomery Clift films to a South Korean director’s suspense films. There are also showings exclusively for families within the BAM Family Program and films even more exclusively for kids in the BAM Kid’s Festival. With such a great diversity of films for patrons to enjoy, it is easy to see that BAM is geared towards everyone and anyone, thus creating a wide demographic audience. BAM has various showings each day, and it shows both modern and more classic films. The film lengths vary, and the show times vary from day to day.<span> </span>A key marketing strategy that BAM takes advantage of is special screening strategies. From speaking to a representative at BAM, I found that they show films based on director, author, theme, genre, etc. </span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aT1NXyiCI/AAAAAAAAABw/Arp1LBnQ6Sg/s1600-h/screengood1.png"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aT1NXyiCI/AAAAAAAAABw/Arp1LBnQ6Sg/s400/screengood1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446703341682984994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> With BAM Rose Cinemas there are 4 theaters with daily screenings. One of the screens is devoted to BAM Cinematek which has daily screenings of repertory classics and special festivals. Along with these screenings, there are frequent guest speakers. The other three screens show first run and independent films. The four theaters seat 103, 155, 272 and 222 patrons. On BAM’s website, certain films have one review per film and others do not have any reviews. The reviews often come from well-known sources such as The Boston Globe and The LA times. Other reviews are from slightly less known publications such as Time Out Sydney, Variety, and Cinematical. These reviews are often very positive, praising the film and the director, trying to get people to come see these films. The main person who decides which films to play is Joseph V. Melilo, the executive producer of BAM since 1999. He has a lot of experience in artistic programming.<span> </span>He has been the artistic director of festivals such as NY International Festival for the Arts, New World Festival of the Arts Miami, and many others. Since he began working at BAM there have been many awards and positive feedback of his work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u>BAM’s Promotional Strategy</u><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;">With their homage to classic, international, and independent cinema, BAM sets itself apart from other theatres. They aren’t about putting the latest blockbuster on their screen to guarantee ‘meat in the seat’ and large profits from showing high grossing popular films; they have a classy mission statement in which you can tell they truly care about film as an artistic experience as opposed to a race for profits.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aUFsKO6gI/AAAAAAAAAB4/kwxfZFzZnWU/s1600-h/gilman+opera+house.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aUFsKO6gI/AAAAAAAAAB4/kwxfZFzZnWU/s400/gilman+opera+house.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446703624825530882" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The Gift Memberships are a great way to attract people in the long run because they offer so much to the patron. There are deals such as 50% off Artist Talks tickets, discounts at the cafes and kiosks, BAMbus discount, and coupons for local restaurants. The BAM Cinema Club membership includes priority access to special screenings and events, special discussions with filmmakers, discounts on over thirty local restaurants, BAM Café discounts, a special gym membership rate, and much more.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:48.0pt;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:4.05pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/nicholasstambuli/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image028.gif" althref="file://localhost/Users/nicholasstambuli/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image029.pct" title="" gain="74473f" blacklevel="-1966f"> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>With their very easy to read directions and maps on the BAM website, BAM makes it easy for people to get to the theatre; additionally, the BAMbus provides post-film transportation to the Manhattan area. Their flyers are vibrantly eye-catching and include a lot of large-print easy-to-read words, unlike a lot of other theater pamphlets that have very small words and no pictures. BAM’s handouts really capture your attention!</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aUPoCbx2I/AAAAAAAAACA/KWDh2Q23Nuc/s1600-h/screengood2.png"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aUPoCbx2I/AAAAAAAAACA/KWDh2Q23Nuc/s400/screengood2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446703795517769570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:48.0pt;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;">BAM attracts even more people by having directors come out and view their films with the audience, and performing Q&amp;A segments and discussions following the film viewing. BAM also appeals to crowds of all ages, not just older generations; there are free BAM Fan parties for Cimema Club members in their 20s and 30s. They also make it easy to attract people who aren’t typical film buffs by showing some normal Hollywood movies. Shutter Island is a current staple at BAM. People will come to see the mainstream films and become curious about the other independent movies and events that BAM has to offer. Aesthetically, the opera style theater and overall regality of the theater makes people want to come back for more. The somewhat formal attire of patrons and the upscale décor give the appearance of a highbrow atmosphere that many moviegoers prefer over the common city cinema.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:48.0pt;line-height:200%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;">BAM is one of the largest theatres I’ve seen; it encompasses it’s main building on Lafayette Ave and the BAM Harvey Theatre a few blocks away on Fulton Street. The theatre is also only five blocks away from Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Combined with its variety of community service programs throughout NYC, the breadth of BAM seems to promote itself. Like any important historical monument, BAM does not need extensive advertising to reach its market. BAM is a common name in independent cinema, and even other cinemateks in NYC—such as the Angelika—distribute brochures promoting BAM. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><u>An Interview with Langlois’ Ghost</u><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"> </span></span>Henri Langlois co-founded the Cinematheque Francaise, a Paris-based film theatre and</span></p><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0p5yxCrD64M/S5aUgFu7hHI/AAAAAAAAACQ/_XFIaPIqjBc/s320/langlois.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446704078366934130" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 32px; font-family:Arial, serif;">museum and perhaps the most applauded and idealistic outlets of cinephilia. Who better critique BAM Cinematek than the man who changed the way the world looks at theatre? Our group asked Langlois a series of questions about BAM and created responses that we believe he would fully support.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Q:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “Do you agree with the way BAM organizes and shows their films?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Langlois:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “It’s excellent! Showing films grouped by common themes, time periods, auteurs, or actors allows you to bring in all the great discussions afterwards. You can truly see the various roles an actor plays or how different auteur’s create their own expressions on a common theme. I especially love the discussions with the directors after the movie. That personal connection and interpretation is what art is all about. The movies for children are a nice touch as well. Cinephilia isn’t about having an experience; it’s about creating a culture, so what better way to build that culture than to draw in the attention of children.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Q:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “What about the types of films?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Langlois:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “It’s terrific that they show all these independent films, but it would be better if they promoted the real underground films instead of those that won some festival award…the true experimental artists who are not so much trying to make a name for themselves as they are a representation of their vision. That is where you find the pure artistry. I guess not everyone sees the world through a child’s eyes. You know? Wanting to experience everything they’ve never touched before. Someone like Melilo does a good job at pulling the audience into those independent films, but he should stop following trends and start creating them. Drive the bandwagon, not become a passenger.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Q:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “BAM doesn’t have a specific dress code; it’s more of an implied one. Does film belong to the highbrow?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Langlois:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “Hah! Highbrow, lowbrow, middlebrow, unibrow, what’s the difference. Art is a great equalizer that everyone can appreciate. The lights go out and we are all watching the same film. In a dark theatre, you don’t know who has the high-class bag or the double-breasted jacket; the back of everyone’s head looks the same. Cinema should be an appreciation of expression, not an ascertain of class. If you want to dress up, fine. But that does not make its patrons superior to the countless great minds under shabby clothes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Q:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “Last question, Mr. Langlois. We had a hard time contacting management for interviews and tours. They actually never got back to us, and the secretary laughed and told us ‘they’re too busy for that right now.’ What’s your take?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Langlois:</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> “With such a large theatre, it’s hard to return every call. There were countless times when I was tied up on the phone, short-staffed, and over-worked. It’s tough keeping a large business going while maintaining that connection with your patrons. Not everyone has my work ethics and can stay up until 3am just to talk about the movies they love. However, that drive to embrace your patrons and attempt to make them as passionate about movies as I am is what motivates me to work so hard. That vision should never be lost, no matter how big a theatre gets…Revolutionaries lead by example; cinephilia is no different. Maybe BAM should work on its mission statement. What are they first and foremost? A community service group? A filler for highbrow leisure?<span> </span>Cinephilia should not be a secondary hobby; it is a lifestyle that BAM should be enthusiastic to promote.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Nick Stambulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01834439515618118200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-24636550046250932882010-03-09T09:26:00.001-08:002010-03-09T09:46:58.037-08:00Film Forum<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2FgEbuWsPks/S5aFvn0-LNI/AAAAAAAAABo/eEv5xRl7B8g/s1600-h/film+forum.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446687852542700754" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 180px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2FgEbuWsPks/S5aFvn0-LNI/AAAAAAAAABo/eEv5xRl7B8g/s320/film+forum.JPG" border="0" /></a> It opened in 1970 as a screening space for independent films with only 50 folding chairs, a single projector and a $19,000 annual budget. It is still today the only non-profit movie theatre in New York City and one of very few in the U.S. In 1972, Karen Cooper took the reins as director and soon moved the Film Forum to the Vandam Theatre in 1975.In 1980, Cooper began construction on a 2-screened cinema on Watts St. Then in 1989, New York City construction demolished the theatres which paved way to the current 3-screened theatre at 209 West Houston St. open year round, with 25,000 annual visitors, 489 seats, and a $4.1 million operating budget. Film and television stars such as Christopher Walkin and the late Christopher Reeves would often go to the theatre. The third screen is solely dedicated to extended runs of crowd favorite from both programs as well as films running with longer engagements. In 2010, they are celebrating their 40th Anniversary which has had their theatre bustling with patrons, new and old. Unlike Hollywood film cinemas, Film Forum looks past the gross potential of films and carefully curates films with much social, political, historical, and cultural significance.<br /><br />The premiere films are selected by Film Forum’s Director, Karen Cooper and Programmer and Publicist, Mike Maggiore. The revivals of classics, festivals, and directors’ Retrospectives are selected by the Director of Repertory Programming, Bruce Goldstein. In order to find the best new domestic and international cinema, staff travels to places such as Berlin, Sundance, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam annually and also read film publications from around the world. The programming staff at Film Forum request videotapes and DVDs from various filmmakers and preview numerous films all year long. The Film Forum staff looks for films that break the rules, deal with controversial and provocative subject matter, tell stories in new ways, treat relevant social, historical and political realities in an original and cutting-edge way, and of course give new, upcoming filmmakers the opportunity to receive a view from the public for the first time. As for the Repertory Programming, Bruce Goldstein likes to bring new audiences and critical attention to the screen’s masters through its retrospectives. He programs rare films that are curated from the world’s archives and collectors and secures new 35mm prints of the classics.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446688214294825266" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2FgEbuWsPks/S5aGErdZiTI/AAAAAAAAABw/kkMKg9Z1T-Q/s400/interior01.jpg" border="0" /><br />Film Forum accommodates to the older sophisticate audience. The presence of a café and posters of upcoming films encased in glass give the theater a sense of exclusivity. We noted that the use of the word “superb” describing the film “Lourdes” could only be found at a theater such as Film Forum. This kind of critique is representative of it’s cultured crowd. The films shown are thought provoking and classic art cinema which draws in a high brow audience. The platform and décor offer a simple and homey setting giving the theatre a hometown feel, free from corporate influence. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2FgEbuWsPks/S5aFWFgeVnI/AAAAAAAAABg/cEmrchBfjHg/s1600-h/interior04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446687413833193074" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2FgEbuWsPks/S5aFWFgeVnI/AAAAAAAAABg/cEmrchBfjHg/s320/interior04.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This idea of warmth and originality also draws in a younger crowd. The lobby space resembles a dated coffee house, which serves to allow friends and staff a space to share ideas about the films and even current events, music, and other branches of art in youth culture.</p>The Cynthesizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717419550798426578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-44001563541852042462010-03-08T23:27:00.000-08:002010-03-08T23:34:15.475-08:00<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7frd7E1VbeA/S5X5T6Y44lI/AAAAAAAAAAU/MTwssuoaQIs/s1600-h/poster%25202.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7frd7E1VbeA/S5X47KPY0rI/AAAAAAAAAAM/jpT6IKGDXCg/s1600-h/quad%2520cinema.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446533019619349170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7frd7E1VbeA/S5X47KPY0rI/AAAAAAAAAAM/jpT6IKGDXCg/s320/quad%2520cinema.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Group: Ken Hanley, James Forbes, Jesse Rafter, Kevin O’Brien, John Socks<br />Theater: Quad Cinema<br /><br />Quad Cinema: Who, What, When, Where, Why?:<br />Who: Elliot Kanbar founded Quad Cinema in 1972, and has kept the theater as a family owned and operated art house cinema since. The current legal owner of the Cinema is Kanbar’s brother, Maurice, who is the president of Skyy Vodka and has donated money to NYU’s film institute and the San Francisco Film Festival. Elliott Kanbar is still the current operator of the Quad Cinema to this day, still getting high regards for his contributions to the art house culture of New York City from publications such as The Resident.<br /><br />What: Quad Cinema was founded to exhibit foreign and independent films without restrictions, as well as provide a gathering place for art filmmakers to display work and reach out to audiences that mainstream theaters could not. Quad Cinema currently hosts many critically acclaimed films on four screens and promotes the independent film experience for both the art house crowd and the uninitiated general audience.<br /><br />When: Founded in 1972, Quad Cinema, as of March 1st, 2010, operates from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., with the first screenings of the day beginning around Noon and the last screenings ending shortly after Midnight. According to Theater Management, the only reasons that the Cinema would be open later would be due extensive Q+A sessions or if a screen was rented out to an independent vendor. Also, the management indicated that it is not expecting to stay open later to accommodate later crowds as of the near future.<br /><br />Where: The Quad Cinema is located at 34 West 13th Street, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, also known as the Avenue of the Americas. The location puts the cinema at the heart of the East Village, creating a very upscale and convenient environment for the art house and metropolitan crowds within the East Village.<br /><br />Why: Quad Cinema is significant because it’s an art house theater that has been a stable of traditional art house experiences and yet has been popular ever since it’s inception in the 1970’s. And unlike theaters such as Angelika, IFC Center and the Walter Reade theater, Quad Cinema specializes in many low-profile yet socially significant independent films, many of which have had very little advertising and buzz beforehand. That can be seen as a sign of both the quality that which Quad holds it’s films and also the confidence that the theater takes in itself and it’s risky business decision.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7frd7E1VbeA/S5X5T6Y44lI/AAAAAAAAAAU/MTwssuoaQIs/s1600-h/poster%25202.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7frd7E1VbeA/S5X5hyxebsI/AAAAAAAAAAc/cqFGEGmGqnA/s1600-h/poster%25202.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446533683334770370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7frd7E1VbeA/S5X5hyxebsI/AAAAAAAAAAc/cqFGEGmGqnA/s320/poster%25202.jpg" /></a>Programming:<br />As of March 1st, 2010, Quad Cinema is currently screening “An Education” starring Carrey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard; “A Serious Man”, the latest film from the Coen Brothers; The Independent Spirit Award Nominated “Easier With Practice”; “The Last New Yorker” starring “Sopranos” Star Dominic Chianese; “Ajami”, an Israeli Crime Drama; and “The Hurt Locker”, the Academy Award Nominated film from Kathryn Bigelow.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Films like “An Education”, “A Serious Man” and “The Hurt Locker” are getting extended theatrical runs from Quad Cinema due to their Academy Award Nominations for Best Picture, helping the theater profit from high-profile word of mouth and critical acclaim. “Easier With Practice”, “Ajami” and “The Last New Yorker” are all unrated by the Motion Picture Association of America, a unfortunate circumstance that Quad Cinema uses to their advantage as many theater chains such as Regal and AMC will refuse to play unrated films. “Ajami”’s status as a subtitled foreign film is also a crutch against wide-distribution, and “Easier With Practice” contains sexual explicitness normally found uncomfortable with mainstream audiences.<br /><br />Upcoming films to be screened at Quad Cinema include “Tales From The Script”, a documentary about screenwriters opening March 12th; “Dancing Across Borders”, a film about a Cambodian Dancer opening March 26th; and “Behind the Burly Q”, a doc about the history of Burlesque opening April 21st.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Each of the upcoming films are documentaries about subjects that are normally only focused within niche groups. “Tales From The Script” may go over well with many fans of the filmmaking process, especially with juicy stories of screenplays gone awry. “Dancing Across Borders” covers international personal issues, which may appeal to those who are subjected to domestic boredom from American News Stations. And “Behind the Burly Q” covers history of sexual digression within the Burlesque subculture, which has a cult audience but is yet still a touchy subject with many people within the general population.<br /><br />Special Events recently at Quad Cinema have included Double Features throughout the 80’s and 90’s, but have stopped in regular rotation as of 1992. Quad Cinema hosts “Four Wall Select” events for Independent Filmmakers, enabling filmmakers to play the QUAD for a reasonable rental fee and also have the QUAD set up two free press screenings, a DVD sales program, access to an internet digital channel so the film can be streamed and downloaded, and discounted rates for print, online advertising, graphics and marketing.<br /><br />The Quad is also known for engaging Question and Answer Screenings, which has recently been hosted for movies such as: “Bitch Slap”, a modern day sexploitation film; “I Sell The Dead” starring Dominic Monaghan and Ron Perlman; “Mystery Team”, the debut film from online skit sensation Derrick Comedy; and “Earth Days”, a documentary on the Green Movement. According to Management, the Q+A Sessions are very popular amongst younger art house crowds and provide great word-of-mouth exposure for the eventual DVD releases of art films.<br /><br />Jesse Rafter’s Experience at Quad:<br /><br />I first saw the sign as I walked down the block, the first thing I thought was “very small crappy.” There wasn’t much promotion outside the theater. Very basic looking, we walked in the door and we saw posters to the right and posters to the left. The ticket booth in front us, and a ticket guy to the left. It was nice and clean in side and had a nice atmosphere. It felt like a movie theater. They had some critic reviews for some independent movies I’ve never heard of. It was nice to see what critics had to say blown up on these posters. Since I’ve never heard of it, things like that could get me to decide on seeing it. As you continued to walk past the ticket guy, you can see more posters for upcoming independents and ones that were already released. You came to a lobby area where there was a seating area and concession stand. The stand had what ever a regular theater would have. It was priced about the same I guess I never buy food at any theater anyway. The lobby seemed a bit boring. If I was to wait there for a show I want something to look at. They had posters but something else was missing, maybe just more posters or promotional things. We went to sit down after waiting a bit and I noticed the screen was a lot smaller than the ones we are used to. Maybe like half the size, hard to say, but it didn’t take away from the experience of the movie but I was noticing it. After we walked out and left. So overall I say a nice place, I don’t know what to compare it to, but I’m sure there was more fancy independent theaters around. The atmosphere was good though, felt like a small film festival was being held, like a real good unseen movie can be found there, I would go back.<br /><br />Lobby space was small, theaters were small, guy said there is only a 150 person capacity in about each. Some with more room, and there were only 4 theaters. So, I felt restricted I guess. Theaters were good, but could be a little bigger.<br /><br />Although for a small theater, when I peaked in to hurt locker it was packed with people. And more were coming in to see other movies. An employee said hurt locker was there big money maker. Everyone was coming to see it. And he said it was a little slow today (Sunday). So at least while I was there it looked like it was doing well business wise. They didn’t promote that though on the outside of the theater. They should or promote it with more than a poster; even a banner would be good.<br /><br />They only played hurt locker 4 times a day, every movie I think was 4 times. They played a serious man 3 times and ajam in the same theater when serious man isn’t. So being restricted by the space is a factor in money making. If they had another theatre for hurt locker they could probably double up on the cash.<br /><br />The food stand was priced well I guess as I said before, they had coffee there, which I never saw in a theater, could be just me. Didn’t see many people buying anything in the time I was there.<br /><br />I didn’t see any special promotions, there was a website thing called quad cinema e-news. I think you sign up and they send you stuff maybe like coupons new movies.<br /><br /><br /><br />Kevin O’Brien’s experience at Quad:<br /><br />This theater is in a strange location if I did not have a map or directions I would have simply walked right by it. It is almost right in the middle of the block, so if you are walking by either end and look down the block it would be hard to spot. I went on a Thursday after noon for the first showing of Hurt Locker. I arrived early to buy tickets, but when I got there an hour before the show there was a sign that said they open about 15 minutes before the first showing at 1:00 p.m. I work in a small movie theater myself and we do the same thing. So that was not really a problem. I work at a local theater in my hometown of Sparta. We show mainstream movies even though we only have 3 screens. So comparing two small theaters with different goals was nice. They have 4 theaters that seat about 150 give or take. Sparta Theater has one that seat 115, then 85, and then 65. So it seems that Quad cinema has about equal sized theaters. We also don’t really have a big sign saying where we are and it can be hard to find just like Quad. Promotion wise inside the theater at Sparta we put posters up and it is well lit. It seemed to me like Quad was very minimalist. There were not many posters and once you hit the lobby it was very plain. I really enjoyed the fact that you can still see these films in the theater even though you can get Hurt Locker on DVD. There was one main problem I had though. The screen before the film had no pre show stuff going on it was just a blank screen that was lit by pink lights. Also once the movie started the movie itself was too big for the screen. It cut some of the writing off at the bottom. I agree with Jesse on some points, but working in a small theater myself they seem to be like Sparta. When I went there was almost no one there maybe 8 others in the theater with me. It was very slow but that happens at Sparta as well the first shows usually are very slow. I did not see coffee as an option in drinks but that is a really good idea. Promotion wise I did not see anything I even asked if they had student discounts and they do not. You also cannot be to young to get in because there is an age limit so they can get away with kids tickets. It is a very simple place. I only saw four employees the entire time I was there. I had a pleasant time and the movie was amazing. If it weren’t for the fact that it is so far away I would go back more often but if I ever find my self in the city and need to waste some time I might stop in and see what is playing.<br /><br />Comparison to Walter Reade, IFC:<br />Walter Reade is more of a traditionally art house theater, with it’s location and presentation more suited for upper class patrons; in comparison, Quad is much more like a traditional movie theater, although a bit smaller than the Walter Reade Theater.<br /><br />IFC Center is closest to Quad’s style and presentation, although IFC, like Walter Reade, have later screenings and also screenings for cult classics on a weekly basis.<br /><br />Transcript of Interview:<br />By Ken Hanley<br />[NOTE: The only way I could get an interview with Elliott Kanbar was to arrange a phone interview under the guise of a reporter for an independent film magazine, so sue me.]<br /><br />Kanbar: I’m glad to speak about the theater. God knows we need the business!<br /><br />Let’s start off about the theater. Could you give me some history on the theater?<br /><br />Kanbar: Well, I founded the “Quad” in 1972 since there was all this talk about multi-plexes doing fantastic business. So, with some money I was able to get from family, friends, in particular my brother and father, I started Quad, and as far as I recall, it was the first 4-screen multiplex in [New York] City.<br /><br />What kind of movies did Quad show when it first opened in 1972?<br /><br />Kanbar: It’s always funny talking about this. When we started we worked with this real low-down distributor called Golden Releasing, which worked out distribution deals with second run double features and moveovers. Hell, we even had porno on one screen. Believe it or not, there was an audience for that kind of shit. But soon enough, we were being pummeled by competition, around the late 70’s when film got really big again. We unfortunately had to sue before acquiring first run releases, and that was only because we started working with City Cinemas, god bless ‘em.<br /><br />Is there any particular screening or releases that were of particular note back in those days?<br /><br /><br />Kanbar: During the time City Cinemas started with us, Quad was THE top Touchstone and Disney screening house in the Village, since they had a good working relationship and were booking most of their product during that time.<br /><br />What was the appeal of Quad Cinema to the art crowd?<br /><br />Kanbar: Besides having 4 screens? Christ, kid, you’re killing me. My brother [Maurice] used to say our biggest appeal was that we were the biggest little secret in NYC. We showed the city that a movie theater did not have to be on a main street to do good business. Quad was off the beaten path, and we catered to those art film loving patrons who would travel blocks with the intent of seeing a particular film.<br /><br />Were your releases ever affected by film festivals?<br /><br />Kanbar: Surely. Quad was a great interim between art house audiences and film festivals, always screening films from international festivals that most audiences could not attend themselves.<br /><br />Did Quad ever have any famous Patrons during it’s early run?<br /><br />Kanbar: Well, in particular, Warhol was a fan of Quad Cinema. Besides him, no one too big of note who was an outspoken fan. Warhol’s fans would come in droves, though. We actually still have a big homosexual audience for certain films, which is probably thanks to Andy Warhol.<br /><br />Is there anything you would change about Quad if you could go back ten, twenty years?<br /><br />Kanbar: Maybe not place the box office so close to the exit! [laughs] We’ve been robbed a lot in the past so definitely rethink that choice. Also, maybe get something different than a cheap foreign projection which, since renovations a couple years back, have been replaced by much more efficient American-made projection systems.<br /><br />Since the Demise of companies like Paramount Vantage and Miramax, what do you suppose will happen to independent film and of Quad Cinema?<br /><br />Kanbar: The Quad Cinema is a staple of the art house crowd. Simple as that. As long as people want to see something new, something thought-provoking and meaningful, we’ll have an audience. As for the so-called “Death” of independent cinema, we’ll just have to wait and see, but it’s not like film is ever just going to die or go out of style. It’s here to stay. </div></div></div>Quad Cinema Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330122668975931539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-54051218646503623962010-03-08T20:43:00.000-08:002010-03-08T23:53:44.629-08:00MoMA Film Library<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tedmikulski.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/moma.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 517px;" src="http://tedmikulski.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/moma.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">In the late 1920s, three progressive and influential patrons of the arts, Miss Lillie P. Bliss, Mrs. Cornelius J. Sullivan, and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., established an institution devoted exclusively to modern art.<br /><br />The Museum of Modern Art was founded in 1929, its founding Director, Alfred H. Barr, Jr., intended the Museum to be dedicated to helping people understand and enjoy the visual arts of our time, and that it might provide New York with "the greatest museum of modern art in the world."<br /><br />Over the next 10 years, the Museum had to move to larger locations to provide enough space for the accumulating modern art pouring in. In 1939 they moved to their current location in midtown Manhattan.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><br />The first Director was Alfred Barr Jr., and his idea was to create a series of separate art departments including architecture history, film and photography, as well as more traditional painting, sculpture, drawings, and prints.<br /><br />During the early years of development, MoMA held a number of major art shows, including the Vincent van Gogh exhibition in November 1935, the celebrated Picasso retrospective of 1939-40, which was staged in partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Film Library of the MoMA, was founded in 1935 and was the first of its kind in the United States.<br />The aim of the MoMA's film library was to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> create a controlled viewing experience. Unlike normal theaters-which were sites of amusement versus education-films were hand chosen according to theme, period and genre and not discarded after a short run.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The attitude of the viewer differed from normal theater audiences as well; seating was regulated and audiences were disciplined if they did not conduct themselves appropriately during the screening of films. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The MoMA Film Library's first curator, Iris Barry was a fixture in the theater; she had her own private booth with a direct line to the projector's office, who would stop the screening if the crowd became too unruly. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Flash forward to present day, and the contrast of the public's perception of the library is staggering. Instead of wandering oi polloi, audiences of the modern film library come seeking an educational experien</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ce versus another night at the movies. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The MoMA continues to follow the curatorial standard it is known for </span></span></span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 377px;" src="http://whisty.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/edward-scissorhands.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">by showing like films according to historical relevance, auteur and thematic similarities. On an average day at the Film Library, one can expect to see, for example, a showing of excerpts of four or five Sergei Eisenstein films or a selectio</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">n of Tim Burton films.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">What separates the Film Library from other art houses, is its inclusiveness to younger audiences and families, mainly because of its affiliation with the museum. There are often events for young children as well as promotions for school trips. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">For the Film Library's older clientele seeking exclusivity (the epistemic search for what high-brow actually is, perhaps) there is a membership program through the museum that offers additional screenings as well as invites to exclusive parties for higher levels.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The MoMA is located on the Upper West Side, between Fifth and Sixth avenue--home to some of the most expensive real estate in the United States. The amount of disposable income within its location is vital to its popularity. The Upper East Side and the Upper West Side have some of the best private schools in the country. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A demographic that includes some of the best educated New Yorkers with arguably the highest amount of disposable income within Manhattan has perfectly molded the MoMA's Film Library into an internationally known art house. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">What the MoMA may lack in "indie-cred" it makes up for in visual aesthetic and a large collection of preserved films. The Library currently holds 22,000 films that have been preserved by the MoMA itself. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The theaters where the screenings are held look more like Carnegie Hall as opposed to ones neighborhood multiplex. The elegant red velvet seats are smaller in scale (not very comfortable) for the smaller theater. The screen is a bit smaller than a regular theater, and often, in the lower theater, subway trains can be heard--fortunately this is not the case for the theater on the upper level. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The theaters are in a section of the MoMA called the Education Center. The lobby lends itself to the art house notion of post-film though</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">t and discussion with the extensive amount of seating areas. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There are two levels of the lobby, the ground level with rectangular black leather benches, and the lower level with tables, presumably for school trips and discussion groups. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 428px;" src="http://co123w.col123.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=12&amp;messageId=3f49f290-24a8-11df-aef9-002264c20648&amp;Aux=40|0|8CC86CC360BF140||" border="0" alt="" /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The ground level of the Education Center is what one would consider the theater's lobby because of its traditional theater fixtures. The ticket booth is a stark white counter with plasma screens behind instead of movie posters and a bank teller-like box with a clumsy microphone. One could purchase tickets for a film at this counter or at the main museum ticket counter of the MoMA for an additional fee with admittance to the museum itself. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">As for concessions, there are three restaurants inside the museum itself, all of which are far enough from the Film Library to not be considered a concession stand; Cafe 2 is a traditional cafe where one pays and orders at the counter, Terrace 5 is a fully functioning middle-grade restaurant and The Modern is an upscale full-service restaurant that contains a separate bar area that is open past museum operating hours--definitely not a concession stand. There is a general impression that bringing food out of the restaurants and into the theater is discouraged.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The stark, minimalist decor of the Film Library lends to the contrast between it and many other art houses. There are a few pieces of modern art, nothing too obtrusive or famous, sheerly for decorative purposes so as not to distract post-film discussions. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The decor of the Film Library is indicative of its desire to lend itself to free thought. Barely adorned glowing white walls serve as the blank canvas, much in the same way the ambiguity of the films it allow audiences to think for themselves. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Many members of the MoMA have responded creatively to the museum's call to action. There have been several installments of videos on Youtube created by members (examples of which can be seen here ---> http://www.youtube.com/user/MoMAvideos#p/c/C2D9D74C569212B6) as well as subway creations by guerilla graffiti artist, Poster Boy. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The MoMA remains an important fixture in the cultural identity of New York City as well as film-art history as a whole. A film library rivaling only Henri Langlois' bastion of the Cinematheque, forever altering the perception of film in American movie audiences by inspiring an analytical and educated way of watching films.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>AnastasiaBeaverhausenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099065230790565110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206689208476150809.post-30419339255597931152010-03-07T22:32:00.000-08:002010-03-07T22:49:21.082-08:00Angelika Film Center<div><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/216954133_8f8e108302.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/216954133_8f8e108302.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:85%;">History</span> <div><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Angelika Film Center is a movie theater chain in the United States that features independent and foreign films. It is located at the corner of Houston and Mercer Street. It originally opened its doors on August 18<sup>th</sup>, 1989. Since 1997, three more locations have opened up across Texas. The Angelika Film Center was named after Angelika Ohl who was an actress and producer, who made her own documentary, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Streetwise</i>, which won an Academy Award. She was the first wife of Joseph H.M. Saleh who was a film producer and real estate investor. He took over the property of an old underground powerhouse for a cable car system in Manhattan, and transformed it into the Angelika. The old cable building was built in 1893 and is a 20,000 square feet space, which had huge gears, trusses and leftover cables in the basement. The old cable cars ran for only eight years, towing streetcars from Broadway to Bowling Green on 50<sup>th</sup> street after the line was electrified in 1901.</span></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">By the time the film theater opened its door to the public; it had cost $4 million and was to be Manhattan’s only first-run, multi-screen movie theater south of Greenwich Village. Joseph and Angelika filled in the roles of president and chairwoman of the Angelika Film Center and the Angelika Film Corporation, which ended in 1996 when the theater was sold to City Cinemas. Since then the Angelika has held The Independent Feature Film Market. To enter, you must pay five-hundred dollars and get a screening slot, which you then try to pack it with as many potential distributors or print media of just potential investors. However, it has now changed, in order to get accepted into the Independent Film Project one must submit a completed narrative screenplay with a minimum of 20% of financing in place. This Independent Film Week held at the Angelika attracts people from all over the country.</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Since the Angelika theater has been such a success in the New York City area, there are now three new art houses that have been created in New York. Two of these theaters are literally within seven blocks of the Angelika. In December 2001, the Sunshine cinema opened just blocks away, and in 1999 the BAM Rose Cinemas at the Brooklyn Academy of Music opened in Brooklyn. On June 17, 2005 the IFC Center opened in close proximity to the Angelika. The theater since its creation has slightly changed its direction, before only independent, foreign and classical films would be played, has now changed to mainstream films.</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Many negative articles have been written about the downsides to the Angelika theater, such as the rumbling sound of the subway which can be heard at least four times during a film. Over $1 million on renovations were spent, including new seats, improved sound equipment, bathrooms and air conditioning. However, in 2004, the Angelika Film Center was voted New York City’s best movie theater.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Experience</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">On February 21<sup>st</sup>, our group traveled to visit an experience the Angelika Film Center movie theater. Before our plans to view a movie, we had attempted several times to arrange an interview with a member of the theater. We were either ignored or given the response, “We’ll have someone get back to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Arriving upon the film theater, it looks more like a municipal building then what we would depict a normal theater to look like. Inside, the interior of the center was very sophisticated; there were couches in what would appear to be their lobby, with a huge glass chandelier hanging from the center. Unfortunately, the elegant décor did not match up to the mannerism of the workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The staff was rather rude to us. They seemed to look down at us because we were younger, or maybe we looked like tourists. When we attempted to take photos we were met with a quick cease and desist from the staff that could have been delivered in a more polite manner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">The tickets were overpriced and their “famous café” offered a selection that you would not imagine seeing at a movie house. There were multiple choices in coffee in addition to a very large display case filled with cakes and pastries that would give the best local artisan bakeries a run for their money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Upon receiving your tickets, you are called up to stand in line by the time and movie that you were seeing. You then must wait in a red velvet line until they are ready to let you downstairs, where all six screens are.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Having time before the movie, Jay had a chance to observe the area around the theater. The first thing he notices was the NYU building scattered around. New York University is probably most famous for being an elite and highly regarded art school. This makes it seem really fitting that the theater should be so close to that school. If you can’t see an NYU building in a sight, you are sure to a 20-something year old in an NYU hoodie making their way from their favorite coffee house to their next class.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:85%;">There are also a large number of coffee houses, which would echo the ideal that the Angelika shares about sitting down and discussing over a cup of coffee at their own café. Although you can find a Starbucks one block over most of the café market themselves to the bourgeois by offering overpriced imported coffees and goods.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking around before we waited for the movie, we noticed that the theater was trying to hit a very specific demographic. Between the large hikes in the prices of both tickets and concessions and the furnishings of the theater, it felt like it played into the bourgeois. There were posters of classic art cinema on the walls and a large chandelier which were most definitely signs of cultural capital. They also had us line up to go downstairs to see the film. This was either a ploy to have us sit in the café so we would buy something or a way to make the viewer feel special. By doing this, it could be seen as they would be doing us a favor by giving us the right to view this film. By the time we had exited the theater, we were all left with a bad taste in our mouths. </span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Analysis<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our group went to view the Academy Award nominated film, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Crazy Heart</i> starring Jeff Bridges and Maggie <a href="http://www.movie-theatres.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/crazy-heart-trailer.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.movie-theatres.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/crazy-heart-trailer.jpg" /></a>Gyllenhaal. As we made our way downstairs to the theater, there were big cardboard articles placed in a foyer that informed the patrons about details on the films that were being shown. The short reviews had details on the director and overall the making of the film.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">There were several reviews written on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Crazy Heart</i> directed by Scott Cooper. A review in the New York Times newspaper called this film the “invisible movie”. This low-budget film was not supposed to even show in theaters, but it was noticed by people who matter. Now, this organic movie is nominated for a few Academy Awards this year. Since Angelika showed this particular film, this represents the theater in several ways. Angelika is known for showing independent films that are not mainstream and are not noticed by the general public. Therefore, since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Crazy Heart</i> was called the “visible movie” Angelika wanted to make a point in showing this creative film. Many viewers can appreciate the making and creation of this film. There is hope for this movie to become noticed and successful and this gives Angelika a positive and appreciative image as a film center to the patrons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">The theater was set up in a particular way compared to other film theaters. In the Angelika, the theater was very long and narrow similar to a hallway. There was no incline or stadia seating. The seats were flat on the ground and were long and straight all the way back. The Angelika is unlike the BAM theater which holds more than 800 seats and is a playhouse style theater. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:85%;">Before viewing the movie, there were several promotions and previews. The Angelika promoted their film center a lot and mostly independent films that were coming attractions. There were also student film contests and MoMA promotions. These previews and promotions reflect the film center as an arthouse that is appreciative of the independent works of creative people and projects. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">When our group went to view the film, the Angelika had an organized and well-planned programming for all of the movies, especially the Academy Award nominated films, such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Crazy Heart</i>. On the weekends, the film shows four or five times during primetime hours. The showtimes during the week days are the same as the weekends, but there is one less show during the week. This programming gives patrons the opportunity to view this film at various different times, so it can be flexible with everyday schedules.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Overall, our group enjoyed experiencing something different, such as going to an arthouse and to see how they organize and plan showings, previews and promotions. Also, it was interesting to see how they run the theater and the layout of the theater. Even though our group thought that the staff was rather rude, we all made the best out of the experience and expressed our opinions about the theater’s pros and cons. Now, we can all take this knowledge and understand how the Angelika Film Center runs. </span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bibliography</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><o:p><a href="http://www.movie-theatres.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/crazy-heart-trailer.jpg">http://www.movie-theatres.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/crazy-heart-trailer.jpg</a></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/216954133_8f8e108302.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/216954133/&amp;usg=__VYpRL3ZC72AlU-V4Nw23WTiD0SY=&amp;h=500&amp;w=375&amp;sz=147&amp;hl=en&amp;start=3&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;tbnid=hnjlICELTKgP-M:&amp;tbnh=130&amp;tbnw=98&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dangelika%2Bfilm%2Bcenter%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1">http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/216954133_8f8e108302.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/216954133/&amp;usg=__VYpRL3ZC72AlU-V4Nw23WTiD0SY=&amp;h=500&amp;w=375&amp;sz=147&amp;hl=en&amp;start=3&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;tbnid=hnjlICELTKgP-M:&amp;tbnh=130&amp;tbnw=98&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dangelika%2Bfilm%2Bcenter%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1</a> </o:p></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','serif';font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Kim Bunkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17474660273894150954noreply@blogger.com0